Echavez conquers fear, wins

Echavez conquers fear, wins
By Iste Sesante-Leopoldo
Sun.Star Cebu
May 1, 2011

CEBU’s top tanker Loren Dale Echavez conquered her fear to win the 4th edition of the Olango Challenge “Swim for Nature, Swim for the Future” yesterday at the Tambuli East, Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City.

Echavez, a strong swimmer in the pool, used to fear open water swims. She overcame this and secured the 6K title with a time of one hour and 24.40 minutes.

Cebu Blue Marlins Swim Club’s Paula Abigail Vega and Christine Indaya came in at second and third places, respectively.

“Before, I was scared of getting lost and I was not really used to it. But I have adjusted to it now,” said Echavez, who has joined open water swims last year
and even won the Oceanman swim in Bantayan the other week.

Echavez made a last-minute decision to join Olango after missing her flight to Hong Kong for the Stingray International Invitational Swim Meet.

The men’s 6K competitive category was won by CBM’s Noel Cañeda.

Organizer Jose Antonio Aboitiz of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) said he was overwhelmed with the number of participants this year, which reached 124.

“We are happy that the event is growing. We have so many participants, particularly in the corporate side and a lot of local participants compared to the previous stagings.”

This year’s proceeds will be used for the intensive reforestation effort of Olango Island.